I've had my 8 for 2 months now. I'm debating the benefit of adding a ClearBra vs. the 'cost'. My 8 is not my primary vehicle and we'll only be driving it occasionally but don't like the idea of stone chips, etc.
I've done a bit of reading on adding a ClearBra and it sounds interesting. Does anyone have a listing of Products/Dealers? I know about Xpel......but what are some others. I live in SE Michigan.
Any idea's/tips would also be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Some experience:

Xpel, clearbra, invincashield, clearmask, etc... They all pretty much do the same thing.. And they all are not perfect. The difference is nominal. So long as you have this paint protection material on, you're paint will look a whole lot better after a couple of years than if it had not..

I learned my lesson with my first car.. Audi TT.. By the end of the 1st year, I had quite a few little pits and pock marks on my frontend. By the end of my 3 year lease, it looked so bad that the damage had accumulated to about $500 out of my pocket to repair (IMO, the lease company was very lenient about it--it would have cost probably twice as much to repaint).

My next car was the RX8, which I paid $600 to a company to do an XPEL job. It took them 4 tries to get it right (they had done dozens of cars at dealerships before but never an RX8. It was a hell of a job for them since the 8's frontend is very curvy and has very few flat shapes). It took 3 days when they estimated 3 hours... Oh well.

I'm glad I didn't try it myself, if the pros had a tough time, imagine a beginner. I thought doing it myself would save money, but in the end, it actually cost those guys for my business (they had to pay for the new template design and 4 sets of rolls). While it was frustrating to have to take my car over to them again and again, they wanted it to be perfect (for their portfolio I guess) GRRRR. In the end it was a good job and I was relieved it was over.

Anyway, it's been a year now and I can tell you my car looks fantastic. I regret not having the headlights done, as there are marks and dots all over the headlights, but since it's clear, it's not as noticeable. There's only a few areas on the paint where the XPEL shows damage. The paint appears to be intact, although the XPEL took some damage.. I think these must have been really big rocks, since I can feel slight denting of the surface. Oh well. But at least it's not noticeable.

My points:

1. Make damn sure you have somebody who has lots of experience doing RX8s. Preferrably, go with a professional that does custom jobs (who uses whole rolls, not pre-cut templates). They'll be able to give it a seamless look, at least along the edges where they can wrap the material beyond view. It will probably be alot easier to do also. They might charge more since it's a "custom" job, but it will look alot better. Personally, I think it should cost less, since it's easier to do, and they don't have overhead costs such as computer systems, cutting plotters, or template designs to pay for.

2. Be sure to have the headlights done. It will be a thicker protection material, which will cost you extra. The 8's headlight covers are made of clear plastic, so they are just as susceptible as the paint is..

3. Be sure to have the rearview mirrors done also.

4. Have them promise on an estimate. If it goes way beyond the estimate (price or time), make *them* pay for it.

Good luck.

 

I'm considering this as well. I talked to a guy that said he could do the entire coverage minus the air dam, because I don't have one, for about 500 dollars. He said he would need the car a half a day but from what I'm hearing he probably hasn't done an 8 and is going to need more time.

 

Thanks for the information.
I've called a couple of places locally....interesting results.

#1 - We use 3M. While others may use Avery, Venture Tape, or Invis-Shield, 3M is the best. The product is 8mil and will be applied to the hood, fenders, mirrors, front bumper, air dam, and a 20 mil film on the headlamps. The cost for this installed is $837.00
I asked if they ever had done an RX-8 and the answer was 'no, but we've done thousands of cars and this doesn't look too bad'. Install time estimated at 5-6hrs.

#2 - We use a product - Avery, Venture Shield. It is better than 3M as 3M tends to not be quite as clear and it is prone to having an orange-peel effect. It is 6 mil and will be applied to same as above (the hood will be covered 18" up). Headlamps will also be covered with 6mil......I asked about this.....response was 6 mil is plenty thick, going with 20mil tends to 'reduce' the intensity of the headlight and I've never had a problem/issue with a cracked headlamp. Full lifetime warranty is provided by the guy who installs it. Just as above, they have never done an RX-8, but estimated the install time at 2 hrs. Total cost for this is $587.00.

Quite a difference in price.....$250.00.........both indicated that they do 'thousands' of cars and service many of the dealerships in the area. I guess I need to do a bit more thinking....but.....most likely I'll go with the $587.00 product/install.

 

The number 1 option is a rediculous price. I got quoted for everything you listed in number one and it's 3M for 504 dollars including install.